Author:Fireypassion

Disclaimer(s):I do not own Bleach. If I did, Grimmjow would have lived.

Warning:Language, Yaoi

Pairings: Ichigo x Grimmjow,

Note from the Author:So sorry I didn't write for so long! But school and no ideas, I think I was even half asleep for the past two months. Well I can make all the excuses I want, but it's not going to change anything. Please enjoy! Also since peoples feedbacks inspire me or at least make my mood better so I can type faster and make my mind think, I'm not making you but R & R and I'll be very grateful and very happy. Very happy = more stories.

Chapter 1 ~ Neon signs.

Ichigo looked out the window, at the night city. The warn out neon signs flash brightly in the distance as the last of "day time" people disappeared off the streets and into the refuge of their warm homes. He understood them, their need to be somewhere warm at a time like this - when the sun went down and the shadows were no longer safe. Night. That is when the city shows it's true colors. Gangs, murderers, junkies, drug dealers, rapists, criminals, hitmen, hookers, deserters, thieves. None of these dared to show themselves in the day city, but the night city was their element. Those that lived as normal humans in the day city wouldn't dare to show their faces in the night city either. No one dared to go against this, no one dared to break the rules, until now anyways. Ichigo didn't belong to the city of day nor did he belong to the city of night, but perhaps somewhere in between at the rising and setting sun. He didn't fit in with normal people, he didn't fit in Soul Society, he didn't fit in Hueco Mundo he didn't fit in with the Vizards. Maybe someday he will find a place where he belongs completely, where he does not have to hide himself, but it would not be here. It could not be here.

"Hahaha that's right King! There is no refuge for us," said the voice in his head.

"Shut up!"

The boy was so busy arguing with his other self that he didn't realize that someone was standing behind him. The man in the shadow spoke.

"Still talking to yourself, Ichigo?"

"Renji. You know I can't help it." sighed the blonde.

"It's all in your head man."

"Is it ready?" asked Ichigo, as he looked at the long object clutched in Renji's hands.

"Yeah…But Ichigo stay here with your little sisters, it's not that bad. We're a family now." argued Renji.

"Renji... You know I would, but I can't bring them here and you know why." replied the blonde calmly.

"Yeah I know 'they're humans and they should live as humans.' Your right about that, but what about your father? He might still come back, you never know. Also Karin has the potential to live here, you can't change that." persisted the red head.

"That's right Renji he might still come back or he might not. We really don't know. As for Karin I'll always be there to make sure she doesn't end up in this place."

"I get it, but your going to have to decide where your place is. Some of the captains disapprove of what you're doing. You have to be careful, don't make them angrier than they already are." warned Renji.

" I know that Renji that's why I asked you to do me that favor. I want Yuzu and Karin safe."

"You're not a deserter Ichigo! You don't belong with them!" muttered the red head bitterly.

"Renji don't call them that! They only left because they didn't want to be mixed up in all the political shit that's going on in Soul Society. If worst comes to worst they will help us. So don't you dare call them that again. Besides I never said I was going to stay with them. It's just Karin and Yuzu."

"Okay, but please be careful Rukia is worried about you, we all are. Don't do anything that will get you killed. "

"Yeah, I got it. Can I have my sword back now?"

Renji sighed and handed the long, slender object to the other man. Ichigo took it with utmost care, as if it was made of glass.

"Ichigo you know you're always welcome to stay here. I'll always help you and so will Rukia."

"I know and thank you Renji. How are things with Byakuya?" asked Ichigo with eager curiosity.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Don't fling those words around so casually! Do you want him to hear you ?! For god sakes keep your voice down!" quickly replied Renji. Instantly shutting the door behind him with a soft whoosh, and turning around to face the blonde again.

"I take it he still doesn't know? Oh but I thought he was in a meeting? "

"Well yes he doesn't know yet, but I'll get around to telling him eventually. Though your right, he is in a meeting."

"And you're afraid he'll hear you form across the city?"

"No exactly, I guess you haven't heard yet huh? There is a spy among us."

"What? Isn't this too much like a drama now?"

"No I'm serious. You see this is why Yamamato - sōtaichō wants us to be careful when we bring someone in our circle. We don't know who it is, but if you ask me it has to be one of those people from Hueco Mundo."

"Figures, Aizen and his diabolical schemes to take over the city."

Renji bobbed his head up and down obviously agreeing with Ichigo. Without hesitation he extended his hand toward the blonde, to which the other responded with the same action. The two men shook hands as if they declared world peace. Ichigo's gaze softened, as he came closer and whispered sweetly into Renji's ear, " He better treat you right, or I'll take you away from him."

Blush crept across Renji's face as Ichigo disappeared through the door, leaving a stunned red head behind.

The threat was real. Ichigo loved Renji, the way he laughed, the way he fought and when he got angry...It was one sided love on his part- unrequited love... He let Renji go, because he loved him too much; he wanted him to be happy. Renji's 'happy' just didn't include him in the picture. Ichigo was walking among the bright, flashy neon signs now. Their dazzling, colorful light eliminating the grey streets making them colorful; before they turn off for a split second and then flash on again. Never breaking the circle, only creating ominous shadows. Lost in his own thoughts he didn't notice someone bumping into him. Anger boiled, it was time to take it out on someone; too bad it had to be an innocent stranger.

"Watch it buddy! Some of us are-"

Ichigo's voice faded as he met the hard, icy- blue glare of the stranger. Such eyes! He saw blood dripping from his cheek and the man was clutching is arm. Ichigo was used to seeing people hurt, he did practically live in a hospital. Someone was shouting in the distance, obviously the drifter was in trouble. Soon they were surrounded. The leader was big, 'in charge' and way too confident.

"Beat it punk if you don't want a knuckle sandwich that is." almost roared the leader. His minions laughed and started to make way.

" I'm quite angry. Big, ugly and over confident, I think you will do." Said Ichigo, as he threw a well aimed hook; hitting the guy right under his jaw. Exposing the tattoo of a skull on his fist. The rest happened quite fast. First all the faces turned from confident to surprised, as the eyes of the leader rolled and he tumbled over. His face made a smacking noise as it hit the pavement.

"Well, who else wants a good serving of pavement, grovel and dirt?" said Ichigo with a sinister glint in his eyes and a crazy smile. The henchman cursed, but picked up their boss off the ground and left. Ichigo turned around and looked at the blue eyed man, who was by this point slumped on the ground with his back against a store window. He sighed and took the man's arm, swung it over his shoulder, and holding him around the waist carried him home. The neon signs flashed brightly behind them, creating ominous shadows and making the world colorful one moment at a time.